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La Salle Explorers men's basketball

{{Short description|Men's college basketball program}}

{{More citations needed|date=June 2019}}

{{Infobox CBB Team

|name = La Salle Explorers Basketball

|current = 2024–25 La Salle Explorers men's basketball team

|logo = La Salle Explorers primary logo.svg

|logo_size = 150

|university = La Salle University

|conference = Atlantic 10

|location = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

|coach = Darris Nichols

|tenure =1st

|arena = John Glaser Arena

|capacity = 3,000

|nickname = Explorers

|h_body=FFFFFF

|h_pattern_b=_thinmidnightbluesides

|h_shorts=FFFFFF

|h_pattern_s=_midnightbluesides

|a_body=FFC700

|a_pattern_b=_thinmidnightbluesides

|a_shorts=FFC700

|a_pattern_s=_midnightbluesides

|3_body=000000

|3_pattern_b=_thingoldsides

|3_shorts=000000

|3_pattern_s=_goldsides

|bestfinish = 1

|NCAAchampion = 1954

|NCAArunnerup = 1955

|NCAAfinalfour = 1954, 1955

|NCAAeliteeight = 1954, 1955

|NCAAsweetsixteen = 1954, 1955, 2013

|NCAAroundof32 = 1975, 1978, 1983, 1990, 2013

|NCAAtourneys = 1954, 1955, 1968, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2013

|conference_tournament = East Coast: 1975, 1978, 1980, 1983
MAAC: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992

|conference_season = 1968, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1983 (ECC)
1984, 1988, 1989 (MAAC)

|studentsection=Explorer Entourage (Formerly)

Olney Outlaws (2024-Present)}}

The La Salle Explorers men's basketball program represents La Salle University in college basketball. La Salle plays as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, having joined in 1995. The Explorers were NCAA national champions in 1954, with future Hall of Famer Tom Gola being named the tournament's most outstanding player. La Salle has appeared in the NCAA tournament 12 times, most recently in 2013.

Rivalries

The Explorers, a member of the Big 5, have long-standing rivalries with multiple institutions including Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Saint Joseph's University, and Villanova University. La Salle also has a rivalry with Drexel University who were previously a member of the now defunct City 6, and who were added to the Big 5 in 2023.

History

The program has been rated the 53rd "Greatest College Basketball Program of All-Time" by Street & Smith's magazine and 71st by the ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia.

La Salle has won one National Championship, one National Invitation Tournament Championship, and advanced to two Final Fours. The Explorers have also made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, won eight Philadelphia Big 5 city championships, and four Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships. The program is one of only two schools (with Houston) to have two players in the top 25 in all-time NCAA scoring – Lionel Simmons and Michael Brooks. It's also had three National Players of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://goexplorers.cstv.com/genrel/020907aab.html |title=Did You Know?! :: A Few Things You Should Know About Explorer Athletics |access-date=2007-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714191224/http://goexplorers.cstv.com/genrel/020907aab.html |archive-date=2007-07-14 |url-status=dead }}

Brother Edward J. Sheehy, FSC, Ph.D., '68

Brother Edward J. Sheehy, FSC, Ph.D., ’68 was a history faculty member, alumni, Christian Brother, and the chaplain for the men's basketball team from 1992-2022. La Salle is a Catholic university affiliated with the De La Salle Brothers. Brother Ed led the team in prayers before, during, and after games. Men's basketball coach Dr. John Giannini would spend 15 minutes talking to Brother Ed prior to games. On January 21, 2012, Brother Ed bobbleheads were distributed to the first 750 fans to attend the men's basketball game against Rhode Island.{{Cite web |date=2012-01-12 |title=Brother Ed Sheehy Bobblehead To Be Given Away To Students At January 21 Men's Basketball Game |url=https://goexplorers.com/news/2012/1/12/MBB_0112122038 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=La Salle University Athletics |language=en}} In 2013, Brother Ed was featured in a New York Times article while the men's basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. Brother Ed died on December 22, 2022, at the age of 76.{{Cite web |last=Lebowitz |first=Liora |date=2022-12-23 |title=Brother Edward J. Sheehy, longtime history professor and basketball chaplain, passes at 76 |url=https://www.lasalle.edu/news/brother-edward-j-sheehy-longtime-history-professor-and-basketball-chaplain-passes-at-76/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=La Salle University}}

Coaches

{{Main|List of La Salle Explorers men's basketball head coaches}}

Previous head coach Dr. John Giannini previously coached at Rowan College, where he won the NCAA Division III national championship in 1996, and the University of Maine, where he left with the Black Bears' best winning percentage in school history.File:Fran Dunphy.jpg, the head men's basketball coach at La Salle from 2022–2025]]On April 8, 2018, La Salle announced Ashley Howard as the next head coach of the Explorers.[http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/la_salle/ashley-howard-will-be-next-la-salle-basketball-coach-20180408]{{dead link|date=September 2022}} Howard previously served as an assistant coach under Jay Wright at Villanova University, where he helped led the Wildcats to two NCAA Division 1 basketball championships. After four losing seasons at La Salle, Howard was fired in March 2022.{{cite news |last1=Borzello |first1=Jeff |title=La Salle Explorers fire men's basketball coach Ashley Howard after four seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33563714/la-salle-explorers-fire-men-basketball-coach-ashley-howard-four-seasons |access-date=March 21, 2022 |work=ESPN |date=April 7, 2025}}

On April 5, 2022, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that La Salle would hire alum Fran Dunphy to be the Explorer's next men's basketball coach.{{cite news |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Sources: La Salle to hire Fran Dunphy as men's basketball coach |url=https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/la-salle/fran-dunphy-coach-la-salle-temple-penn-20220405.html |access-date=April 5, 2022 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer}} After 3 seasons, Dunphy announced in February 2025 that he would retire from his head coaching role while staying with the school as special assistant to the Vice President of the university.{{cite press release|url=https://goexplorers.com/news/2025/2/20/mens-basketball-fran-dunphy-announces-retirement-as-la-salle-mens-basketball-coach-at-conclusion-of-2024-25-season.aspx|title=Fran Dunphy Announces Retirement As La Salle Men’s Basketball Coach At Conclusion of 2024-25 Season|publisher=La Salle Explorers|date=February 20, 2025|access-date=April 7, 2025}}

On March 11, 2025, La Salle announced the hiring of Radford head coach Darris Nichols as the new head coach.{{cite press release|url=https://goexplorers.com/news/2025/3/11/mens-basketball-la-salle-university-names-darris-nichols-head-mens-basketball-coach.aspx|title=La Salle University Names Darris Nichols Head Men’s Basketball Coach|publisher=La Salle Explorers|date=March 11, 2025|access-date=April 7, 2025}}

Postseason

=NCAA tournament results=

The Explorers have appeared in the NCAA tournament 12 times. Their combined record is 14–11. They were National Champions in 1954 and National Finalists in 1955.

class="wikitable"

{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=La Salle Explorers|Year|Seed|Round|Opponent|Result}}

style="text-align:center;"

| 1954

First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		Fordham
NC State
Navy
Penn State
Bradley		W 76–74OT
W 88–81
W 64–48
W 69–54
W 92–76
style="text-align:center;"

| 1955

First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship		West Virginia
Princeton
Canisius
Iowa
San Francisco		W 95–61
W 73–46
W 99–64
W 73–76
L 63–77
style="text-align:center;"

| 1968

First roundColumbiaL 69–83
style="text-align:center;"

| 1975

First roundSyracuseL 83–87OT
style="text-align:center;"

| 1978

First roundVillanovaL 97–103
style="text-align:center;"

| 1980

No. 11First roundNo. 6 PurdueL 82–90
style="text-align:center;"

| 1983

No. 12Preliminary Round
First Round		No. 12 Boston University
#5 VCU		W 70–58
L 67–76
style="text-align:center;"

| 1988

No. 13First roundNo. 4 Kansas StateL 53–66
style="text-align:center;"

| 1989

No. 9First roundNo. 8 Louisiana TechL 74–83
style="text-align:center;"

| 1990

No. 4First round
Second Round		No. 13 Southern Miss
#5 Clemson		W 79–63
L 75–79
style="text-align:center;"

| 1992

No. 13First roundNo. 4 Seton HallL 76–78
style="text-align:center;"

| 2013

No. 13First Four
Second Round
Third Round
Sweet Sixteen		No. 13 Boise State
#4 Kansas State
#12 Ole Miss
#9 Wichita State		W 80–71
W 63–61
W 76–74
L 58–72

=NIT results=

The Explorers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 12 times. Their combined record is 9–11. They were NIT champions in 1952, when the tournament was considered an elite event.

class="wikitable"

{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=La Salle Explorers|Year|Round|Opponent|Result}}

style="text-align:center;"

| 1948

Quarter-finalsWKUL 61–68
style="text-align:center;"

| 1950

First round
Quarterfinals		Arizona
Duquesne		W 72–66
L 47–49
style="text-align:center;"

| 1951

First roundSaint LouisL 61–73
style="text-align:center;"

| 1952

First round
Quarterfinals
Semi-finals
Finals		Seton Hall
St. John's
Duquesne
Dayton		W 80–76
W 51–45
W 59–46
W 75–64
style="text-align:center;"

| 1953

Quarter-finalsSt. John'sL 74–75
style="text-align:center;"

| 1963

First roundSaint LouisL 61–63
style="text-align:center;"

| 1965

First roundDetroitL 86–93
style="text-align:center;"

| 1971

First roundGeorgia TechL 67–70
style="text-align:center;"

| 1984

First roundPittsburghL 91–95
style="text-align:center;"

| 1987

First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semi-finals
Finals		Villanova
Niagara
Illinois State
Arkansas–Little Rock
Southern Miss		W 86–84
W 89–81
W 70–50
W 92–73
L 80–84
style="text-align:center;"

| 1991

First roundMassachusettsL 90–93
style="text-align:center;"

| 2012

First roundMinnesotaL 61–70

Explorers in the NBA

La Salle has an extensive history of players who played professional basketball, including:

Explorers in international leagues

Retired numbers

{{main|List of NCAA men's basketball retired numbers}}

La Salle has retired five jersey numbers:[https://www.lasalle.edu/magazine/story/explorers-never-stop/ "Exploreres never stop"] on La Salle Magazine

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

| colspan="5" style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|La Salle Explorers|border=0}}" | La Salle Explorers retired numbers

width=40px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|La Salle Explorers|border=0}}" | No.

! width=150px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|La Salle Explorers|border=0}}" |Player

! width=70px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|La Salle Explorers|border=0}}" |Pos.

! width=100px style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|La Salle Explorers|border=0}}" |Career

15Tom GolaSF/G1951–1955
22Lionel SimmonsSF1986–1990
20Larry CannonG1966–1969
32Michael BrooksPF1976–1980
33Ken DurrettPF1968–1971
File:Penn La Salle Basketball.JPG.]]

Year-by-Year Records

La Salle has held membership in five conferences throughout its existence. After being an independent for several years they officially joined the Middle Atlantic Conference in 1958, before the larger schools in the conference created the East Coast Conference in 1974. In 1983 the team switched to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), staying until joining the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (now known as the Horizon League) in 1992. In 1995 the team joined fellow Philadelphia Big 5 teams Temple and Saint Joseph's in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

class="wikitable"

{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=La Salle Explorers|Season|Record|Conference Record|Postseason}}

style="text-align:center;"

| 1931–32

15–8
1932–3313–3
1933–3414–3
1934–3515–6
1935–364–13
1936–3712–7
1937–3813–6
1938–3913–6
1939–4012–8
1940–4111–8
1941–4212–11
1942–4313–10
1943–448–8
1944–4511–8
1945–469–14
1946–4720–6
1947–4820–4NIT
1948–4911–8Cincinnati Invitational Tournament
1949–5021–4NIT
1950–5122–7NIT
1951–5225–7NIT champion
1952–5325–3NIT
1953–5426–4NCAA champion
1954–5526–5NCAA finalist
1955–5615–10
1956–5717–9
1957–5816–9
1958–5916–75–2
1959–6016–66–1
1960–6115–77–2
1961–6216–95–3
1962–6316–87–1NIT
1963–6416–95–1
1964–6515–84–1NIT
1965–6610–153–2
1966–6714–122–3
1967–6820–88–0NCAA tournament
1968–6923–17–0*Suspended from Postseason
1969–7014–123–2
1970–7120–75–1NIT
1971–726–192–4
1972–7315–103–3
1973–7418–105–1
1974–7522–75–1NCAA tournament
1975–7611–151–4
1976–7717–123–2
1977–7818–125–0NCAA tournament
1978–7915–1310–3
1979–8022–97–4NCAA tournament
1980–8114–138–3
1981–8216–137–4
1982–8318–147–2NCAA tournament
1983–8420–1111–3NIT
1984–8515–138–6
1985–8614–148–6
1986–8720–1310–4NIT Finalist
1987–8824–1014–0NCAA tournament
1988–8926–613–1NCAA tournament
1989–9030–216–0NCAA tournament
1990–9119–1012–4NIT
1991–9220–1112–4NCAA tournament
1992–9314–139–5
1993–9411–164–6
1994–9513–147–7
1995–966–243–13
1996–9710–175–11
1997–989–185–11
1998–9913–158–8
1999-0011–175–11
2000–0112–175–11
2001–0215–176–10
2002–0313–166–10
2003–0410–205–11
2004–0510–195–11
2005–0618–1010–6
2006–0710–203–13
2007–0815–178–8
2008–0918–139–7
2009–1012–184–12
2010–1114–166–10
2011–1221–129–7NIT
2012–1323–911–5NCAA round of 16
2013–1415–167–9
2014–1517–168–10
2015–169–224–14
2016–1715–159–9
2017–1813–197–11
2018–1910–218–10
2019–2015–156–12
2020–219–166–11
2021–2211–195–13
2022–2315–197–11
2023–2416–176–12
2024–2514–195–13

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|1=http://www.goexplorers.com/index.aspx?path=mbball&}}

{{La Salle Explorers men's basketball navbox}}

{{Atlantic 10 Conference men's basketball navbox}}

{{Big 5}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:La Salle Explorers Men's Basketball}}